Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - 11/11/11

Just a few posts up I recommended Mod Organizer. It has NMM integrated, it gives a basic GUI for manual installers, it clearly shows file conflicts and even allows you to 'hide' individual files to force a particular mod, it supports SKSE and it can also load BOSS to further verify your load order.

It's no harder to get set up than SKSE or NMM itself (IMO), but I started using it with a clean install of the game, so I don't know how handy it is if your data folder is already full of cruft. I'm betting still quite handy.

What's the recommended mod(s) for character/NPC retextures? It's difficult to find a retexture mod that isn't pimping full nudity. I don't care one way or another, but that isn't what I'm looking for. Maybe I just need a mod for face textures?

Any recommendations? I'm searching the Steam workshop and also on Skyrim Nexus and not having much luck.

What's the recommended mod(s) for character/NPC retextures? It's difficult to find a retexture mod that isn't pimping full nudity. I don't care one way or another, but that isn't what I'm looking for. Maybe I just need a mod for face textures?

Any recommendations? I'm searching the Steam workshop and also on Skyrim Nexus and not having much luck.

I've been having increased CTDs recently. I believe it's memory related, as it only seems to happen in outside cells at after I've been playing for more than about a half hour. I do have ugrids set to 7. Are there any .ini settings related to memory that that I should be increasing to see if it will help solve the issue? My mod set isn't that extensive except for textures.

Awesome list! I might back up my current saves, load all of these mods and start fresh. My level 70 is still finding new quests and things to do so adding all of this on will just extend the game even further.

Welp, bought a new 360 today to replace my original 360 that recently suffered RROL. This 250gb version came with Skyrim download bundled in. I take it from this thread that this game is as bad as WoWcrack. I quit WoW but like RPGs, what am I in for if I decide to redeem the code and download? Is my free time basically over?

Welp, bought a new 360 today to replace my original 360 that recently suffered RROL. This 250gb version came with Skyrim download bundled in. I take it from this thread that this game is as bad as WoWcrack. I quit WoW but like RPGs, what am I in for if I decide to redeem the code and download? Is my free time basically over?

It's a huge game with a ridiculous amount of stuff to do (all of the elder scrolls games are like this) and you can easily sink an insane amount of time into it.

However, unlike a MMORPG there are three critical differences:1. You can pause.2. You can save and quit whenever you want.3. You aren't "competing" or "racing" against anyone else and as such can stop playing for a couple of days.

Every time, I can't help but think, and often mumble out loud, "yeah, I'm sure that arrow sticking out of the back of your head is just your imagination" or "yeah, maybe hearing things, but definitely not feeling things."

I understand the reason for the gameplay mechanic; I just wish it were done better.

I downloaded NMM and all of the mods Anvilfang... and NMM crashes whenever I try to enable anything past the "Towns and Villages Enhanced" mods. Any ideas on how to fix that? I also reinstalled SKSE but SkyUI won't install because it still thinks an older version is installed.

I downloaded NMM and all of the mods Anvilfang... and NMM crashes whenever I try to enable anything past the "Towns and Villages Enhanced" mods. Any ideas on how to fix that? I also reinstalled SKSE but SkyUI won't install because it still thinks an older version is installed.

Did you use BOSS to set the load order? Because you should do that.

I'm not sure if you can have NMM running while you run BOSS or not (if I leave it running, it doesn't show the load order change; I just quit out, run BOSS, and relaunch, just to be on the safe side). Anyway, if you haven't done that, it could resolve your issues. Load order is important.

I downloaded NMM and all of the mods Anvilfang... and NMM crashes whenever I try to enable anything past the "Towns and Villages Enhanced" mods. Any ideas on how to fix that? I also reinstalled SKSE but SkyUI won't install because it still thinks an older version is installed.

Did you use BOSS to set the load order? Because you should do that.

I'm not sure if you can have NMM running while you run BOSS or not (if I leave it running, it doesn't show the load order change; I just quit out, run BOSS, and relaunch, just to be on the safe side). Anyway, if you haven't done that, it could resolve your issues. Load order is important.

Ran BOSS, then opened NMM. It crashes the moment I open the Mods tab. Hrm.

Thanks for all the suggestions on mods guys. I stuck to just a few graphical tweaks like better textures, fog, lighting, etc, plus SkyUI and lighter potions. I loaded them all up before my first game - I tried it last night with the mods shut off... wow what a difference.

Ugh, I may have borked my save somehow. I couldn't fix that Real Colors Real Nights sky seams issue so I uninstalled it, then opened my last save and saved it again inside. Then I installed Climates of Tamriel and while it looks very good (and the thunderstorms are amazing), my framerate per FRAPS seems to have dropped from the high 40's to the low 30's. I may have to reinstall and start a new character.

BTW, a question for someone who knows the ins and outs of the console and the Creation Kit and such: why would the reference ID of something in the game iterate? I'm using the UFO mod and ascertained in the console that the same follower horse that used to be 0b019686 is now 0c019868. Why might that happen?

Loaded up the game again last night with CRCN(?) installed, along with a nice lighting mod. Upon my first dungeon, I realized quickly that this may not be the best idea...until I realized I had Candlelight. That spell makes it so atmospheric and cool. So screw it says I, bring on the dark!

OK, I am into the game to level 15 now ... I have a staff that lights an area but I haven't run into any dungeons that are dark, they all have candles, etc. Do I need light anywhere?

For the most part, no.

Quote:

I have also gotten two followers killed, now I need to find another one!

They're suicidal. They charge enemies recklessly and ignore traps (which are dangerous in this game). On top of that they get in your way so friendly fire is definitely a major problem. I gave up on them - even after I modded the game so they couldn't die.

Decided to load it up and play it again. Last game I was basically a sneaky archer. For most of the game I ran up my smithing and enchanting until they hit 100. At that point I got a bunch of ebony, daedra hearts, blacksmith/enchanting potions & items and made the most bitchin armor and weapons I could. They were ridiculous, I think my armor rating was around 600. I could one shot giants with a sneak attack from my bow, and knock down dragons in a few shots. The game kinda got boring at that point, so I just got the story over with. I took maybe a tiny bit of damage in the last fight. Kinda disappointing ending.

This time I'm not enchanting, smithing, or improving anything. (I am however again running up my smithing and enchanting skills, cuz hey, free xp) I'm just using what I find or buy. I'm also trying not to use the bow too much, and not putting any perks in it. I'm doing mostly magic and sword & board. I'm also trying to explore and do everything I can this time, and go for a few extra achievements. I've learned some new things this time around.

Destruction magic is ok, but it's tough to do enough damage, especially when they're up in your face.

Summoning exploding dogs over and over again on an enemy that can't see you is just funny.

Shopkeepers don't have enough money. I have a drawer in my house full of hundreds of gems & jewelry that are just too expensive to sell more than a few at a time.

I hate leaving things behind. I have a barrel crammed full of 1000 lbs of alchemical ingredients, and I dont really intend to do anything with alchemy.

The companion AI still rivals that of the L4D2 survivor AI for stupidity. Sometimes after he does something especially dumb I save it and then beat the shit out him, fus-ro-gah-ing his ass up and down the path.

Entering an inn when the objects get bugged and you see everything in the room suddenly explode everywhere while everyone just stands around not noticing is hilarious.

Anyone else find a hunter in her underwear lying down in the hot springs next to her camp?

I wish there was a way to cancel quests I have no intention of doing.

The next time a guard says 'Let me guess, someone stole your sweet role' I'm smacking him clear across Skyrim.

It's still fun. I've found some places & quests I missed before. I need to set an alarm clock or something to prevent myself from playing too long.

My mage primarily uses destruction magic. Once you get a few of the perks and level it up enough it gets a lot more useful. Of course I keep my Zephyr bow around for sneak attacks and an Elven Greatsword for emergencies.

Ulf wrote:

dlr(2) wrote:

OK, I am into the game to level 15 now ... I have a staff that lights an area but I haven't run into any dungeons that are dark, they all have candles, etc. Do I need light anywhere?

For the most part, no.

Quote:

I have also gotten two followers killed, now I need to find another one!

They're suicidal. They charge enemies recklessly and ignore traps (which are dangerous in this game). On top of that they get in your way so friendly fire is definitely a major problem. I gave up on them - even after I modded the game so they couldn't die.

I've been rolling with Marcutio who is a pretty badass follower for the most part, but nothing is more infuriating than when he condescendingly reminds me not to step in any traps. And then steps in every single damn trap we come across.

Loaded up the game again last night with CRCN(?) installed, along with a nice lighting mod. Upon my first dungeon, I realized quickly that this may not be the best idea...until I realized I had Candlelight. That spell makes it so atmospheric and cool. So screw it says I, bring on the dark!

I found RCRN made the dungeons darker than vanilla, but not so bloody black like the other lighting mods where it's impossible to see. It's still useful to use Candlelight/Magelight in certain instances, but it's not required to get through an entire dungeon 100% of the time like "Climates of Tamriel" or "Enchanced FX Shaders" and most ENB's.

A little while back, I was heading up to a cabin to kill a mage who had bitchslapped me a few levels earlier so I had to flee. I noticed in the distance as I approached there was another person walking around. I didn't pay it much mind. Turned out this person was stalking me to kill me: they were a Dark Brotherhood assassin. I dispatched her pretty easily, and found the contract to kill me still on her, so I took that with me.

Cut to now, quite a bit later, after not having had any more encounters, I have finally found and joined the Dark Brotherhood. I still have that note in my inventory. So, my question is this (and I'm hoping for a non-spoilery simple yes or no answer): Will I ever get the chance to bring that up with my Dark Brotherhood brethren?

I'd really like to know who wanted me killed (probably some Thalmor jackoff) and what the situation with the contract is now that I am a part of the Brotherhood...

You know what I don't fully understand. In order to hire the Dark Brotherhood, you have to perform the Black Sacrement, which includes getting multiple peices of the human body, including a heart, and chant like a psyco until someone comes.

If I steal something from someone, how do they hold enough of a grudge to go bat shit insane, kill someone to get their heart, and then spend their days and nights chanting like a possessed zealot?

No. The DB contracts are part of the radiant system. You pissed someone off, stole something from them or similar so they took out a contract on you instead of hiring Mercs.

Ah, interesting. I remember dispatching a DB assassin very early on and wondering about that. Another time I had stolen stuff from the Court Mage at Windhelm and he sent mercs to F me up (he hadn't seen me, but obviously put 2 and 2 together). Coincidentally (and this was one badass coincidence IMHO) it was when...

Spoiler: show

I had mistakenly concluded that the Mage was the dude practicing necromancy and killing women in Windhelm (Blood on the Ice), and I'd just entered the palace to report on my investigation. Suddenly my follower and I are beset by three burly dudes who start whaling on us. I had to use a Scroll of Storm Atronach to even have a chance in the fight.

.

BTW, someone explained to me that the iterating Ref ID for the follower horses was due to a change in the load order of the .esp for the responsible mod.

I have also gotten two followers killed, now I need to find another one!

They're suicidal. They charge enemies recklessly and ignore traps (which are dangerous in this game). On top of that they get in your way so friendly fire is definitely a major problem. I gave up on them - even after I modded the game so they couldn't die.

I can't pull up YouTube at work, but search for "two brothers best friends play skyrim." The bit with Faendal and the first dungeon trap is just hilarious.